The Chapala government and local entrepreneurs Alberto Alcantar Medeles and German Lopez Garcia have revealed early details on the town’s annual Mardi Gras festivities, set for February 1 through 12, 2013.

Burns Night is celebrated each January 25 all around the world to mark the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. A farmer’s boy with a fondness for drink and the ladies, Burns is loved for his humanity and passion for liberty and is a cultural icon in Scotland and for those of Scottish heritage. In fact, this anniversary is more widely observed in Scotland than the official national day, St. Andrew’s Day.

Thousands of pilgrims will begin swarming the rural village of Cajititlan de los Reyes as of December 31 to pay devotion to the town’s religious patrons Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, better known as the Wisemen of the Orient.

Those determined to bring in 2013 with a bang, or at least a low roar, still have a few chances to get in on the fun. Some restaurants have a little reveling space left. Better get to it right away, though, New Year’s Eve is not around the corner … it’s right on the corner.

San Andres Catholic Church in Ajijic will offer an evening Mass (Misa de Gallo) in Spanish on Monday, December 24, 8 p.m. after the viewing of the live manger scenes arranged on the atrium of the church from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, December 25 a Christmas Day Mass will be offered in English at 9 a.m.